‘Avengers’ sets sights on Harry

Disney pic ranks fourth in all-time global B.O.

While Universal’s “Battleship” proved a dud Stateside, Disney-Marvel’s “The Avengers” continued to slice competition internationally, with a weekend gross of $56 million over May 18-20 for an overseas cume of $723.3 million.

Through May 23, “Avengers” surpassed $1.2 billion globally to become the fourth-highest grossing film, behind “Avatar” ($2.78 billion), “Titanic” ($2.19 billion, including its 3D re-release) and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2″ ($1.33 billion).

It’s unlikely “Avengers” will cross the $2 billion mark worldwide, since it’s already bowed throughout most of the world.

The film’s top international markets so far include the U.K. ($72.3 million through May 20), followed by China ($69.3 million). Mexico ($56.2 million), Brazil ($51.9 million) and South Korea ($47.7 million) round out the pic’s top five territories.

“Avengers” — as well as pics like “Titanic” 3D — stunted the overseas growth of “Battleship,” which bowed internationally more than a month ago, and has an overseas cume of $227.3 million.

With “Battleship” well into its run and “Avengers” finishing its fourth week, Paramount’s “The Dictator” managed to score a solid overseas debut in 29 markets, grossing $30.9 million.

The film nabbed the No. 1 spot in all but four debut territories. It shot to the top in the U.K. ($7.2 million in five days) and Oz ($5.7 million over the same May 16-20 timeframe).

Warner Bros.’ “Dark Shadows” also has overseas auds going bats: The Tim Burton-Johnny Depp collaboration added another $31 million in its soph sesh, for an international cume of $81.8 million through May 20. Globally, the film sunk its teeth into $132.6 million in two weeks.